Taylor LorenzJul 16, 2023

Pet peeve: I don’t like when media outlets do this. CNBC *KNOWINGLY* messaged a defunct email address at Twitter that they KNOW is programmed to respond with this emoji (and has been for 8 months).

Just email Musk directly for comment. We all have his contact info. It’s such a farce to email a dead email acct you KNOW will return this emoji then act like it’s some sacrilege and write it up in this way.

Show threadTaylor LorenzJul 16, 2023
I feel like it feeds into exactly what Musk and his idiot fanboys want which is to troll the meeia. Journalists, stop doing it!
Show threadPhillip de WetJul 16, 2023
@taylorlorenz It's never been tested - and probably won't be, Twitter would have to lodge a complaint.
But under South African media regulations we are required to attempt to contact the company through its chosen formal mechanism, and to report its response.
Even if it is automated, even if we know it is trolling, the rules in place to protect not-crazy subjects of reporting still apply.
Show threadWogan May
@phillipdewet @taylorlorenz It makes inherent sense that "publication X did not contact our press department for comment" would be a standard defense for any unfavorable news story.
Jul 16, 2023 at 9:07amWeb
Show threadPhillip de WetJul 16, 2023

@wogan @taylorlorenz It's an almost zero-cost, no-risk way to force an apology. Best way to undermine a story.

If they're really lucky the publication digs in its heels, and then it becomes a whole messy fight that comes to obscure the original report entirely.

Show threadWogan MayJul 16, 2023
@phillipdewet @taylorlorenz And that is 100% the sort of outcome Elon (in particular) would love - being able to hit a publication with a vexatious lawsuit because they didn't stoop to his childish games.